Liriope’s Muse: Tree Care Tips from a Master Arborist
TRUSTED TREE CARE SERVICES SINCE 1970
Liriope's Muse - When Insurance Companies Go Too Far: How a Board Certified Master Arborist Can Save Your Tree
At Eric Putnam BCMA, Inc., we are not only tree experts — we are passionate advocates for responsible tree care and preservation. Led by a Board Certified Master Arborist, our mission is to protect both the health of your trees and your rights as a property owner.
Unfortunately, we've seen a growing trend that threatens both.
More and more, homeowners are being told by their insurance companies that their trees are "dangerous" or “too close to the home” — and are being forced to either remove or severely prune them. These decisions are often made with no on-site assessment and no understanding of tree biology, structural integrity, or the proper standards of care. In some cases, the insurer is simply trying to reduce their risk exposure without any real evaluation of the tree's condition.
And that’s where we step in.
The Problem: Insurance Overreach and Tree Misjudgment
Most insurance adjusters are not trained arborists. They may look at a leaning tree, a dead limb, or a canopy overhanging a roof and label the entire tree a liability. But without knowledge of species growth habits, root structure, decay assessment, and pruning response — they’re making judgment calls on living organisms that require expert evaluation.
Homeowners are left with a terrible choice: lose a healthy tree or risk losing their coverage.
The Solution: Expert Tree Risk Assessments by a Board Certified Master Arborist
At Eric Putnam BCMA, Inc., we approach tree safety with both science and ethics. Our assessments are based on ANSI A300 standards for pruning and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Best Management Practices. When we evaluate a tree, we don’t just look — we investigate:
- Species-specific characteristics
- Structural integrity and likelihood of failure
- Root health and soil conditions
- Canopy density, balance, and clearance
- Targets below — and actual risks
If a tree does need work, we prune it using industry-approved methods that preserve health and structure, not the excessive cutting or topping often requested by non-professionals. If the tree is truly hazardous, we’ll document why and explain your options.
The Result: Reports That Insurance Companies Respect
We don’t just provide verbal recommendations — we back them up with professional written reports. Our documentation can be submitted directly to your insurance company to prove that your tree does not pose an unreasonable hazard, or that it has been mitigated properly by a certified expert. In many cases, our reports have successfully convinced insurers to drop their removal demands and continue coverage without issue.
Trees Deserve a Fair Trial — Let Us Advocate for Yours
Trees are long-living, valuable assets to your property and your environment. They deserve to be evaluated by someone who understands them — not just someone looking at them through a liability lens.
If your insurance company is threatening your trees, call us first. We’ll provide the expert care, documentation, and advocacy needed to keep your landscape safe and your coverage intact.
Liriope’s Muse - Expert Tree Care Tips
Have you ever wondered what kind of tree matches your personality? Whether you're strong and steady or free-spirited and bold, this lighthearted quiz will help you discover the tree that reflects your unique traits—with roots that run deeper than you might expect.
While often used to prevent tree roots from interfering with sidewalks and foundations, they can cause significant damage. This blog explores how root barriers disrupt natural root systems, lead to structural instability, and interfere with soil and water dynamics.
What started as an extra tree from a Sears sale turned into one of Humble’s most famous oaks. With a working faucet built right through its trunk, this live oak has become a local landmark — and its story is as wild as the tree is resilient.
Today is World Bee Day, and while most people think of flowers when they think of bees, we want to take a moment to talk about how important trees are in keeping our pollinators healthy and thriving.
We’ve seen a noticeable uptick in pine tree deaths across the Greater Houston area, and one culprit is showing up again and again: the Black Turpentine Beetle. Learn more about these pests in this weeks blog!
Lethal bronzing is a deadly palm disease spread by the American palm cixiid. This blog explains how to identify symptoms, understand the insect’s life cycle, and use insecticides, grass management, and preventive care to protect your palms.
Trees can suffer from health problems. If left unchecked, minor issues can turn into major risks. In this blog we delve into the importance of tree risk assesment.
At Eric Putnam BCMA, Inc., we’re proud to introduce our newest suite of services: Tree Cataloging, Surveying, and Inspection—designed to support residential, commercial, and municipal clients in making informed, confident decisions about their trees.
PHC isn’t just about treating pests or diseases. It’s about looking at the entire system a tree is living in—soil conditions, site history, climate compatibility, moisture levels, pruning practices, and even nearby construction activity. As a Board-Certified Master Arborist, I’ve found that educating property owners about PHC is one of the most important steps in creating healthy landscapes and resilient trees.
Borer infestations are a serious threat to trees, often going unnoticed until significant damage is done. From sawdust to sap, your tree could be sending distress signals. Read our latest blog to find out what to look for and when to call a certified arborist!
Urban trees can face harsher conditions than forest trees. This can result in shorter lifespans and greater maintenance needs for urban trees. Understanding these differences is key to keeping urban trees healthy and thriving. Learn more in this blog!
Discover the incredible survival secrets of the resurrection fern, a plant that can lose 97% of its water and spring back to life after rain. Learn how this remarkable epiphyte thrives on trees, its role in ecosystems, and what it teaches us about resilience in nature.
With its sprawling canopy, storm resistance, and unique botanical traits, the live oak stands apart—even sparking debate about its classification. Is it a white oak or a red oak? Let’s explore the fascinating history, biology, and significance of this iconic tree.
At Eric Putnam BCMA, Inc., we take a sustainable approach to tree care as eco arborists, ensuring that our work benefits both trees and the ecosystems they support. But what exactly does an eco arborist do, and how do they differ from traditional arborists? Let’s explore!
Give your trees the boost they need with our organic, all-natural biostimulant service. Contact us today to schedule your bi-annual application and watch your landscape thrive!
While most people associate Valentine’s Day with roses and chocolates, it’s also the perfect time to think ahead to one of the most breathtaking seasons—fall! If you want your Houston landscape to glow with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows come autumn, now is the time to start planning and planting.
Winter can be harsh on your trees. Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can stress even the hardiest species, leaving them vulnerable to damage as the seasons change. As a board-certified master arborist, I’ve seen how proper post-winter care can make all the difference in a tree’s health and longevity. Here are some essential tips to help your trees recover and thrive after a winter freeze:
Lichen is a fascinating organism that often raises concerns among tree owners. Many homeowners notice lichen growing on their trees and wonder if it poses a threat to the health of their landscape. As a certified arborist, I aim to clarify the facts and dispel common misconceptions about lichen and its relationship with trees, read this weeks blog to learn more!
The northern red oak (Quercus rubra) has been named the 2025 Tree of the Year! Check out this blog to learn more about the significance of this tree!
Decorating outdoor trees is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer and bring festive charm to your yard. However, it’s essential to ensure that your decorations do not harm the very trees you’re adorning. Follow these dos and don’ts to keep your trees healthy and happy throughout the holiday season.
As winter paints the world in frost and snow, evergreen trees stand as steadfast sentinels of life and vitality. Unlike their deciduous counterparts that shed their leaves, evergreens maintain their verdant splendor through the coldest months, offering beauty, shelter, and a festive spirit. These trees, rich in symbolism and ecological importance, are worth celebrating this holiday season.
As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to appreciate the trees that have quietly shaped this holiday. From the orchards to the forests, trees are woven into our traditions in more ways than we realize.
Pine tip borers are small yet highly destructive pests that can severely damage pine trees if left unchecked. Understanding how to identify these pests, their lifecycle, and their effects is essential for keeping your trees healthy and thriving.
Pine bark beetles are tiny but mighty pests that can wreak havoc on your pine trees. They spread quickly, introduce harmful pathogens, and often mean certain death for infested trees.
Hiring a tree service company can be a big decision, and not all companies offer the same level of quality, safety, and reliability. Your choice of service provider can impact not only the longevity of your trees but also the safety of your property.
The post oak (Quercus stellata) is a remarkable native tree species, known for its rugged beauty, hardiness, and ecological significance. Check out this blog to learn more !
Planting trees is one of the most impactful ways to improve your landscape and benefit the environment. However, choosing the right season to plant can make all the difference in helping a tree thrive. Check out this blog to learn more!
Insurance companies are increasingly pressuring homeowners to prune or remove trees under the guise of liability and safety concerns and in doing so they are murdering healthy and otherwise safe trees.
If you've ever wandered through a forest, admired a sprawling oak, or simply observed the trees in your yard, you might have wondered where these beautiful plants got their color
In many landscapes, trees and grass coexist, but not always harmoniously. It is a common misconception that grass does not grow under the trees canopy due to the shade or lack of sun, which is simply incorrect. check out this blog to learn about a trees natural allelopathy.
When it comes to environmental activism, Julia Lorraine Hill, also known as "Butterfly," stands out as a symbol of dedication and courage. Check out this blog to learn more about Julia and how her determination saved many historical trees.
CODIT is an acronym for Compartmentalization Of Decay In Trees. This term is used in the tree care industry to describe the processes that occurs when a tree is wounded.
Tree girdling is a common condition plaguing many urban trees, often going unnoticed until significant damage has been done. In this blog you'll get a greater understanding of what tree girdling is and how to avoid it.
Ball moss is a small, tufted plant often found on trees in the southern region commonly mistaken to be harmless. In this article, we'll delve into the impact of ball moss on trees and what you can do to manage it.
A common concern among our customers is the impact of tree roots on their yards, particularly regarding the health of their driveways and sidewalks and maintaining the overall aesthetic appeal. In this blog, we'll explore the reality of how roots interact with concrete and structures, as well as the crucial role a tree's root system plays and why it is so essential to the life of the tree.
Crape myrtles are cherished for their vibrant summer blooms and striking bark. However, these beautiful trees and shrubs face a growing threat from crape myrtle bark scale. In this blog we will delve into CMBS, prevention, and management tips tho keep your crape myrtles thriving.
Trees are remarkable organisms that continually adapt to their environment. Among the many fascinating behaviors they exhibit, tropic leaning and mechanical leaning are often misunderstood.
Natural disasters bring out the best and worst in people... and open up communities to unscrupulous services. Read this blog to understand price gouging and how to report it in times of disaster.
Living in a city doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the joys of homegrown fruit! In this blog we delve into planting and care tips to keep fruit trees thriving in your yard year round.
In this blog post, I’ll delve into what carbon sequestration is, how trees contribute to it, and why it’s vital for our planet’s health.
In the tree industry, we are constantly coming across trees who have fallen victim to herbicide damage. in this blog we will delve into what herbicides are and their effects on trees.
Do you have a dead tree in your yard and dont know what to do with it? In this blog we will explore all of your options from recycling, repurposing, and removal!
Much like humans, trees have a natural balance called mass damping. Check out this blog to see how storm pruning can throw off this balance.
Explore the botanical marvels, ecological significance, and the cultural and economic impacts of the Texas Pecan Tree in this blog!
From its humble origins in the American South to its widespread popularity in landscapes worldwide, the magnolia continues to inspire awe.
We don’t yet have the answer to this age old question and the chances are we won’t be around long enough to find out, but check out this blog for the closest answers we have.
Ever wondered the similarities between a Certified Arborist and a Doctor? Check out this blog that details the fascinating parallels between the two industries.
